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SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES
IT’S THE LAW
Are you aware that the MOVE OVER LAW has been in effect since 2002? It requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle and slow down to 20 mph under the posted speed limit or to 5 mph when the speed limit is 20 mph or less for all emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road. A violation of the law carries a punishment of up to a $2500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.
According to the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition (NTIMC), on average, at least two emergency responders are struck each day in the United States.
Do you know what to do when you hear a siren and/or see flashing lights?
- Stay calm and look for emergency vehicles; check your rear and side views. If possible pull to the right and come to a complete stop.
- When traveling on a high-speed road or if there is no room to stop, slow down.
- If unable to move to the right, adjust your lane position and leave a clear path for emergency vehicles to pass.
- When traveling on an undivided highway, all traffic must pull over. If you are in the left lane, merge into the right lane as traffic moves over.
- If you cannot move to the right because of another vehicle or an obstacle, just stop. This will let the driver of the emergency vehicle know what you are doing and allow the driver to anticipate where to drive.
- When an emergency vehicle approaches you from behind while you are stopped at an intersection, stay where you are unless you can pull to the right. Don’t drive through a rid light or stop sign.
- On a 4–lane highway or street without barriers, both sides of the traffic must pull to the right when an emergency vehicle approaches.
- Be careful when driving by or around a motor vehicle accident or any situation where emergency vehicles are parked and the firefighters are working.
- Drivers should stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.
WHEN IN OR NEAR AN EMERGENCY SCENE, SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER, AND WHEN INSTRUCTED FOLLOW THE DIRECTIVES OF EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.
Reprinted from The Piedmont Link Newsletter.HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS FROM OLD REPUBLICYour washer and dryer are designed to be simple to maintain, and there are a few things you can do that will prolong the life of the machines and reduce service calls.
- Avoid overloading the washer - an overloaded washer strains the motor and transmission, shortening their lives.
- Once a month, remove and clean intake screens where water-supply hoses enter the washing machine, and check water-supply hoses for splits, cracks, or bulges
- Once a year, disconnect your dryer from the vent hose and wall, and thoroughly vacuum and clean the lint pipe to improve your drying efficiency and remove potentially flammable lint buildup.
- Once a year disconnect the washer and dryer to clean underneath and check for any small leaks or hidden maintenance problems.
CHECK OUT THESE AUGUST EVENTS
- August 10 - Screen on the Green at the National Mall (between 4th and 7th Streets), 8:30-9:00pm, admission is free. Bring a blanket to the National Mall on a warm night and watch a classic film on a gigantic movie screen. August 10 film - Rebel Without A Cause.
- August 23 - Alexandria Cambodian Community Day Festival at Ben Brenman Park, 10am-6pm, admission is free. The festival displays traditional Cambodian arts, crafts, paintings and souvenirs, and Cambodian food. Call 703-883-4686
- August 29 - Summer Concert Series at the Reston Town Center Pavilion, 7:30-10pm, admission is free. Jukebox Revue: The Originals: Legendary Orioles, The Jewels, & The Memories, the best of Doo-wop, Motown, R&B. 11900 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190
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